PNG UNRE to establish ocean and climate research institute

-

The Council of PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment has approved the establishment of a new ocean and climate research institute.

This was announced by Acting Chancellor Mr Martin Maden in a memo to all staff last week.

The Momis Ocean and Climate Research Institute will focus on ocean systems, climate change impacts, sea-level rise, coral bleaching and marine ecosystems. 

It is named in honour of UNRE Chancellor Chief Dr John Momis, recognising his longstanding contribution to environmental protection, governance and national development.

UNRE Chancellor Chief Dr John Momis.
Mr Maden said Chief Dr Momis, 83, is a senior statesman and one of the principal architects of Papua New Guinea’s Constitution. 

As a former member of the Constitutional Planning Committee, he played a key role in embedding environmental protection and sustainable resource use within the Constitution’s Fourth National Goal and Directive Principles.

Born in Salamaua in Morobe Province to a Bougainvillean father and a New Ireland-Chinese mother, Sir John has also served as a National Parliamentarian, Minister for Decentralisation and two-term President of the Autonomous Bougainville Government. His public service career has spanned more than five decades.

Announcing the initiative, Mr Maden said the institute reflected the University’s responsibility to respond to climate challenges facing island and coastal communities and is part of reforms aimed at strengthening UNRE’s research capacity and long-term institutional direction.

“This initiative reflects the University’s responsibility to contribute meaningfully to climate and ocean research, particularly in a country already experiencing the effects of climate change,” Mr Maden said.

Council also approved the creation of a Momis Ocean and Climate Fellowship, which will support advanced research and designate a lead researcher as the Momis Ocean and Climate Fellow. A separate policy paper on the institute will be developed and submitted to government for formal recognition.

As part of the same initiative, Mr Maden also announced that Council has also endorsed a planned and gradual relocation of the School of Environment and Climate Change from the Vudal campus to Kurakakaul, along the North Coast of the Gazelle Peninsula.

He revealed the acquisition of a five-hectare coastal site at Kurakakaul, which is expected to be developed as a climate research and teaching hub. Facilities planned for the site include laboratories, accommodation, climate monitoring stations and marine infrastructure.

The Kurakakaul development is expected to support local and international research collaborations, including work with Wuyi University in China, and align teaching and research more closely with field-based marine and climate studies.

Popular posts from this blog

PNG UNRE appoints new HR Manager

-
Image
Mr Alex Nona. W hen Alex Nona arrived at Papua New Guinea University of Natural Resources and Environment (PNG UNRE) as the new Human Resources Manager, he stepped into a role central to any institution’s stability and long-term growth — managing its people. With more than a decade of human resource experience across the private sector and higher education, he brought both technical expertise and a reform-minded outlook to a university entering a critical period of expansion and transformation. Mr Nona’s story begins far from administrative offices and policy manuals. He comes from a remote community in the upland areas of the Markham District in Morobe Province. He attended Numbugu Community School before progressing to Markham Valley High School for Grades 7–10 and later to Bumayong Secondary School for Grades 11 and 12. Growing up, his father worked in Lae and was often away, and his mother frequently travelled between the city and their village. This meant he spent much of his chil...
Read more

PNG UNRE to offer five new undergraduate programs

-
Image
Professor Dan Orcherton. PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment through the School of Environment and Climate Change will begin offering five new undergraduate programs in 2021. The five programs are: Degree in Environment and Climate Change; and Advanced Diploma in Environmental Health under the Department of Climate Change, Health and Development; and Degree in Renewable Energy and Environmental Engineering; Advanced Diploma in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation; and Advanced Diploma in Environmental Engineering under the Department of Environmental Engineering. The School of Environment and Climate Change (SECC) will establish its other two departments – Department of GeoSciences and Geohazards and Department of Environmental Law - and their academic programs in the near future. For now though, SECC has been marketing its new programs to students in secondary schools in the province.  The first awareness session was conducted at Kerevat National High School on...
Read more

Aipa represents PNG at Global Sustainable Islands Summit

-
Image
Shirleyna Aipa from PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment was the only participant from Papua New Guinea at last month's Global Sustainable Islands Summit in Canada. Miss Aipa, is a tutor with the University’s Agriculture Department. She holds a Bachelor in Tropical Agriculture from PNG UNRE and is currently pursuing a Master of Philosophy in Agriculture at the PNG University of Technology in Lae.  The summit she attended was held from May 21 to May 23 on Prince Edward Island in Canada.  Miss Aipa applied for the six-week online training on Best-Practice Skills for Sustainable Development in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) before being successful as one of 10 students selected worldwide to participate in the Summit. She said the summit was attended by professionals from across the globe, many of whom were unfamiliar with PNG. She felt privileged to share information about PNG, PNG UNRE, and PNG University of Technology. The summit served as a platform for k...
Read more